NAMIBIA: HIV/AIDS eroding economic growth

Namibia's existing human capital is being worn away by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

An estimated 20 percent of Namibia's adult population who are living with HIV and AIDS are rapidly eroding the chances of economic growth, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

UNDP country-based communication officer John Thynne echoed the IMF's sentiments and described the HIV/AIDS prevalence as the "worst humanitarian crisis in southern Africa".

"The big concern currently is the triple threat posed by HIV/AIDS, food insecurity and the erosion of the capacity of governing. A nightmare prediction is that the country will implode ... [the disease] causes grave weaknesses in people's ability to generate food. It also has a key impact on key workers in society," Thynne said.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Economy,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]